In Pompeii, Italy, archaeologists have unearthed what they believe to be a street food stall from the first century.
According to a Reuters article published on Saturday, a team working in the archaeological park’s Regio V site uncovered a “termopolium,” which translates from Latin to “hot food and drinks counter.”
Decorated with brightly colored frescoes and equipped with tablewares, the structure dates back to 79 AD, when the city was buried by a nearby volcanic eruption. Among the recent discovery, archaeologists found a bronze drinking bowl, ceramic jars, wine flasks, and amphorae as well as “traces of nearly 2,000-year-old food.”
Stunning illustrations of poultry still decorate the shop’s counters. Researchers believe these paintings of hens and ducks refer to some of the items on the menu, while traces of pork, fish, snails, and beef were also discovered.
Massimo Ossana, the director of Pompeii’s archeological park, explained this was the first time the team has excavated an entire termopolium.
At this point, about two-thirds of the town has been uncovered, although the dig has been underway since 1750. Years of careful extraction have led up to this bright new find and may have fans wondering what 2,000-year-old dish will make it on the menu next.
